Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of visits organised by the Industrial Development Authority of visiting industrialists to County Cork since January 2009; the way the sites visited were selected; the outcome of each of these site visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25263/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by IDA Ireland that from the beginning of January 2009 to the end of May 2010 there have been a total of 51 site visits to County Cork (including the City).

Typically, a company is shown three or four selected towns, which can meet its requirements for skills, labour, site and/or buildings and infrastructure. In selecting locations to show companies, IDA Ireland seeks to include locations which have been affected by closures/job losses and also gives priority to the Border, Midlands and West regions.

It is not possible to indicate the outcome of these particular site visits because it is often the case, following such visits, that a considerable number of meetings and discussions take place between the potential investor and IDA Ireland before the company makes a final decision on location.

While IDA Ireland seeks to influence the selection of location, the final decision on both visits and final location is taken, in all cases, by the promoting company.